When something is aberrant, it is unusual, not socially acceptable, or a departure from the norm.

If something is an anomaly, it is different from what is usual or expected and is hence highly noticeable.

If you describe something as antiquated, you are critical of it because it is old-fashioned and not suitable to modern needs or conditions.

Something that is archaic is out of date or not currently used anymore because it is no longer considered useful or efficient.

A contemporary object either exists at the same time as something else or exists at the current time.

Anything or anyone errant behaves in a way that is unacceptable or wrong; for example, an errant missile travels in the wrong direction, while an errant husband is unfaithful to his wife.

Probity is very moral and honest behavior.

Propriety is behaving in a socially acceptable and appropriate way.

You show rectitude if you behave or conduct yourself in an honest and morally correct manner.

If you commit a solecism you make an error of some kind, such as one of a grammatical or social nature.

The veracity of something is its truthfulness.

Verisimilitude is something’s authenticity, or quality of something appearing real or true.

The verity of something is the truth or reality of it.

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Noun

anachronism

uh-NAK-ruh-niz-uhm

Context

Many movies contain historical anachronisms, such as a red sports car’s racing alongside Roman chariots, or a Roman soldier’s wearing a wrist watch. My favorite anachronism is in the movie 10,000 BC, which shows the great pyramids at Giza, which were actually built much later in 2600 BCE. Depending upon the audience, such anachronistic or chronologically imprecise details can be either distracting or entertaining. Some cinematic directors, for example, use anachronism on purpose for a comedic effect.

Quiz:Try again!
What is an anachronism?

An object that catches the eye because it should be in a museum.

An object that represents a particular period of historical significance.

An object that does not fit in its surroundings because it is from another period in history.

Memory Hook

Anachronistic Chronometer There is no such thing as a 14th-century digital chronometer--it's an anachronism.

Examples

Nineteenth-century horses and carriages may be anachronisms, but so are many of the buildings, trees and even the reconstructed bishop’s crook lampposts lining Fifth Avenue.
—The New York Times

The filibuster, which seems more and more an anachronism in the age of television, grew out of the practice of virtually unlimited debate that early members of Congress designed to prevent majorities from silencing minority voices.
—The New York Times

Now that February, officially designated as Black History Month, is past, I have been reflecting on whether it is an anachronism.
—The Washington Post

Supporters of her cause — and there are many, from tennis bosses to a British cabinet minister — say the discrimination is an anachronism that devalues female athletes in general, perpetuating the illusion that sport is a 'man’s world.'
—The Christian Science Monitor

Word Ingredients

An anachronism is the “condition” of something being “back in time” where it doesn’t belong.

Word Theater

Back to the Future Marty bumps into his parents--talk about an anachronism!

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Word Constellation

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Related Words

aberrant ·

anomaly ·

antiquated ·

archaic ·

errant ·

solecism ·

contemporary+ ·

probity ·

propriety ·

rectitude ·

veracity ·

verisimilitude ·

verity ·

Similar sense

Opposite sense

Word Variants

anachronistic
adj

→

pertaining to something historically out of place

The section lists important variants and alternate definitions of the headword. Knowing variants will often help you both remember and understand the word. Not all variants are listed - only the ones we think that are important for you to know.